The ‘Last Day’ Judgement! John 12:44-50

Text:  “He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him; the WORD that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

John 12:48.

Good morning, Christian believer in God’s Word!  When God’s Word is openly and publicly proclaimed it fulfills a twofold purpose: it softens the hearts of those who will believe and receive Christ’s Salvation; and it hardens the hearts of those who just will not be saved.  This is a Gospel fact!

“For He (the Lord God) saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  So then (a conclusion) it is not of him that willeth (the will of man), nor of him that runneth (human deeds), but of God that sheweth mercy…therefore hath He (the Lord God) mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth.”                        (Romans 9:15-18)

If the Word of God in our Bible makes sense - don’t try to make it nonsense!  We are called to believe God’s Word, not to belittle it!

“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath he said, and shall He not do it?  Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?”  (Numbers 23:19)

The problem in the world in general, and even in some sections of ‘the church’ universal, is that, man’s will won’t let God be God.

In fact, some professing Christians, and Christian leaders, seem to think that they are more merciful than the Lord God Almighty!  In their proud hearts, they refuse to let God be God Almighty.  They dare to ask the question rhetorically posed by the apostle Paul in the Book of Romans: “What shall we say then?  Is there unrighteousness with God?  God forbid.”  (Romans 9:14)

Some, obviously believing that they are more merciful and compassionate than the Lord God, would cry ‘Unfair!’, when a preacher faithfully proclaims the fact that God ‘…will have mercy on whom (He) will have mercy…and whom He will He hardeneth.’  (Romans 9:15-18) 

To this truth from God’s Word they cry, ‘Unfair!’  They refuse to believe that God has power over His own Creation and thus, by their bleatings, would instantly seek to limit the Almighty in His power!  How pathetic can one be?  How self-righteous can one become?  God is God, and He is God ALONE!

Another look at our chosen text for this morning’s Bible Lesson should immediately reveal the peril involved in taking such an attitude:

“He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him; the WORD that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”   (John 12:48)

On that great ‘last day judgement’; the final reckoning for all mankind’s souls - the Eternal bottom-line will be one question: what way have we received the Lord  Jesus Christ, God’s Word in the flesh.  Did we believe Him, or did we reject Him?

The words that the Word Personified - Christ Jesus - spoke when He was sent to us by incarnation (God in bodily form)’ are what will judge us ‘…in the last day.’

If we, by God-given faith, truly believe God’s Word - then we will receive His Word and seek to be subject to His Word, in Christ Jesus, His Son.

If we, through lack of God-given faith, reject, detract, or debate against God’s sent Word - then we have nothing to look forward to, only a fearful burning in the tormenting fires of an Eternal, never-dying, flame.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, the Word of God, with a Divine message for sinners such as we:  Believe, repent from sin, receive Christ’s Salvation, trust in His full Atonement Sacrifice, and be forever saved.  This is the Gospel message of Eternal Salvation, there is no other!  (Acts 4:12)

“For I (Christ Jesus) have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.  And I know that His commandment is LIFE everlasting; whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.”  (Vs. 49-50)

The message is therefore crystal clear:  “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”  (Acts 16:31)  Reject Him, and be forever lost!  Take heed NOW!

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth (of every nation); for I am (Jehovah) God, and there is none else.”  (Isaiah 45:22)  Hallelujah!

Thought:  God’s Word has spoken - believe and receive His Salvation today!